AgustaWestland Scam: BJP CMs Accuse Congress of Taking Bribe After Christian Michel Named 'Mrs Gandhi'
The BJP leaders claimed that in the Rs 37,000 crore VVIP choppers deal, it is speculated that a corruption of Rs 370 crore was done and Rs 150 crore went to the pockets of Congress leaders.
New Delhi, December 31: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday attacked Congress party for their alleged involvement in the AgustaWestland Choppers deal. He accused that Congress party leaders took bribe of Rs 150 crore in the Rs 37,000 crore deal and based on the Christian Michel's statement of naming 'Mrs Gandhi' at Patiala House Court on Saturday, it is proved why Congress is afraid.
Claiming that the period between 2004 to 2014 was a duration of corruption, Adityanath said, while addressing a press conference in Lucknow, said, "Between 2004-2014, there was no sector left which Congress untouched with corrupt practices." Christian Michel Has Named Mrs Gandhi: ED Tells Court in Agusta Westland Case.
Speaking about the CBI probe in the AgustaWestland scam, Adityanath said, "The probe was constituted by a committee former Union minister AK Antony during their UPA tenure and not BJP. Even in the Italian court, name of Mrs Gandhi was taken and Christian Michel's arrest has been done in connection with the same case."
Adding more, the UP CM claimed that in the Rs 37,000 crore VVIP choppers deal, it is speculated that a corruption of Rs 370 crore was done and Rs 150 crore went to the pockets of Congress leaders. Along with this, he said that with ED extraditing Michel to India, Congress is afraid as the truth might come out in open.
On a similar note, Karnataka BJP chief BS Yeddyurappa and Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis attacked the Congress party and sought apology from Rahul Gandhi to 'fooling' the nation on defence deals. They were of the opinion that the party did corruption in defence deals, but is attacking the Union government's fair intention to strengthen the defence forces of the country.
However, former Union defence minister clarified that during his tenure, neither Sonia Gandhi or the Congress president was involved. He said, "As former Defence Minister, during my time the procurement of AgustaWestland took place. I would like to say, categorically, that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi never interfered in deals and procurement. AgustaWestland was selected after evaluation by team of officials."
Earlier in the day, BJP state presidents and chief ministers were directed by the party headquarters to hold conferences all across the nation on the statements made by Enforcement Directorate in the Patiala House court stating AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel named a 'Mrs Gandhi'. Cong, BJP Slugfest on AgustaWestland Case After ED's 'Mrs Gandhi' Claim in Court.
The ED claimed that Michel named one 'Mrs. Gandhi' during his interrogation and sought eight-day custody to probe the case further. However, the court, after hearing the arguments gave only seven-day remand of Michel to ED.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 31, 2018 01:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).